The town was surrounded by a large army of soldiers from the kingdom of Lastasia. And staring at the army from a far was Saito, Yuki and Yuzuru.

A few moments later Lily returned with ten members from the royal guard with her. Saito then looked around and he asked the royal guard members.

"Do you think that there's a chance on winning the army of the enemy?"

All the people there aside from Saito nodded. Saito let's out a sigh and he said.

"We'll attack on the cover of night and burn down their tents and kill the soldiers and officers sleeping."

Yuzuru raised his hand and he said.

"But if we use such underhanded tactics then we can't call ourselves knights."

Saito then placed his hands on his forehead and he said to Yuzuru.

"This is not a duel but this is war. If you want to win this war then follow my orders. This is not a battle for honor and justice but instead this is a battle for the throne. If you don't want to participate in this battle then you can return back to the fortress."

"I'm also against the idea of killing them while their asleep. But if it will increase our chance of winning then I have no other choice but to agree with you Saito-kun."

Yuzuru bit  his lips and he said.

"Fine I'll follow your plans. But please don't let Yuki Hime-sama participate in this operation."

Saito let's out a sigh and he said in a serious tone.

"That's her choice. If she wants to participate then there's  no way that I can convince her to back down."

"B-but her life will be in-danger if she fought along with us."

"There's no battle that can't be won without danger and risk. To show the people of the town of Randel that Yuki Hime-sama has the courage and strength to protect her country she must lead her people into battle."

Saito then pointed his finger at the katana on Yuki's waist and he said.

"That katana on your waist is a really powerful weapon that enhances your senses and physical abilities. It also allows you to perform some kind of magic. As long as you have that weapon I doubt that there's anything that can harm you as long as it's not a magical blade like the one on my waist."

"You used magic didn't you Yuki Hime-sama? You healed Lily-san with the power of that katana am I correct?"

Without answering him Yuki nodded. Saito then looked at Yuzuru and the royal guard members and he said to them in a serious tone.

"We'll burn their provisions and weapons first before the tents where the soldiers are sleeping. If we can destroy all their arrows and bows. Once those are destroyed I'll storm their camp and kill more than half of enemy soldier. Meanwhile Yuki Hime-sama please try to convince the lord of this town to join our cause."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Yuki looked at Saito straight in the eyes and nodded. Afterwards he handed Yuki a scroll and he said to her.

"Review the contents of this scroll before you enter the town. Once our attack begins Yuki Hime-sama and Lily-san will enter the town. After confirming that you've entered the town our forces will slowly retreat and then I'll find a way to enter the town. Until then please don't make any rash decisions. Lily-san please keep her highness safe."

"Yes I'll try my best to protect Yuki Hime-sama. Even if it cost me my life I'll do everything I can to protect her."

"Good then I'll be counting on you Lily-san."

With a smile on his face Saito quickly handed the two Two golden stopwatches and he said with a smile on his face.

"These are 'divine instruments' they're special tools that were given supernatural powers. By clicking on this button here you can stop time for up to thirty seconds. It can only be used once and the only ones who can move are those who possessed the stopwatches. Only use these if your lives are in-danger."

After recieving the stopwatch the two of them nodded.

Saito then rode the white horse and he said to the soldiers of the royal guard.

"Can you gather soldiers from the civilians? Go to the nearby villages and recruit up to three hundred soldiers. We'll begin our attack in 3 days."

"B-but do we have enough provisions to feed that many soldiers?"

Saito shooks his head and he said in a serious tone.

"No we can't support that many for long. But if the lord of Randel joins our cause then we might be able to go to the second phase of the plan on reclaiming the royal capital."

Saito once again turned to Yuki and he said.

"I need you to sign the imperial degree that Yuzuru has prepared Yuki Hime-sama."

Yuki nodded and she was given a quill and an ink bottle then she signed the documents that Saito asked Yuzuru to prepare.

After two hours the group who went to Randel returned to the fortress and from atop a tower Yuki stared at the starry skies then Saito approached her and Yuki asked him timidly.

"The war will begin in three days right?"

"Yes that's right Hime-sama during this war many lives will be claimed. Thousand or even tens of thousands might lose their lives despite knowing those facts do you still want to continue this fight?"

Yuki turned to Saito and she said.

"Yes I'm going to continue this war even if tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands died in the process. If we can make the country a better place and ensure a bright future for the next generation. Then I don't mind having my hands stained by the blood of the innocent and the wicked."

"That's good Hime-sama."

Then Saito stood along with Yuki on the balcony and the two of them stared at the stars in the night sky.